Automatic control device.



C. F. JOHNSON.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. l2, i915.

Patented Tuly'l, 1918.

' ITE STATES CARL F. JOHNSON, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, SSIGNOR TO `JOHNSON SERVICE COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN; A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE.

To all 'whom t may concern.:- l

Be it known that I, CARL F. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mil` waukee, in thel count-y of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented'v certain newand useful Improvements in Automatic Control Devices, of which the following is a specification.

-This invention relates to automatic control devicesand is illustrated as applied to a thermostat' for -use in temperature control systems' of the class of which the Johnson system of temperature regulation is typical.

' than the leak,port. Consequently when the The invention is applicable to other au.

tomatic control systems of the Johnson type, such as systems for controlling humidity and the like, bythe simple substitution ofthe appropriate responsive element in place of the thermostatic bar,las is well understood byy those skilled inthe art, Vandas will vbe hereinafter more fully ointed out.

trol a responsivevelement, for:eiia1np`-lega;y b1- In the Johnson system of automatic "con- 1 metallic thermostatic bar, moves'funder.the

influence 'of atmospheric changes to'open and close a leak port. Through this-'leak port, when open, Huid under pressure,"usu ally compressed air, escapes at a restricted rate from a diaphragm chamberV to which it is supplied by a port of smaller capacity leak port is open the diaphragm collapses and when the leak port is closed the diaphragm is distended. This diaphragm is connected to operate a control device, for example a three-way valve which vadmits ory exhausts air to and from a secondary motor directly connected to'dampers, valves or the like. In order to secure the necessary sudden movement of the three-way valve a quick throw device has always been interposed between the diaphragm and the three-way valve. and the purpose .of the present invention is to accelerate thea'ction of the diaphragm so as to permit theelimination of the quick throw mechanism.

I a prior but co-pendingscapplication,

Serial No. 842,225, led June 1. 1914, (issued as Patent No, 1,162,170, November 30, 1915) I describe an automatic control device iny which this result is accomplished by mak-y inguse. of a shifting leak port actuated a secondary diaphragm subject tothe pressure in the main diaphragm chamber. 'Thus Speciiication of Letters Patent. Patented July 16, 1918, Application led April 12, 1915. Serial No, 20,930. I I

when the -responsive elementstarts to open- 5@ the vleak port the resulting initial fall ofl pressure causes the leak port to shift far enoughto open completely, and bring about the sudden collapse of the main diaphragm. Upon the initial closing of the leak port a 6@ reverse shifting of the leak port, due to the initial rise in pressure, on the secondary diaphrag'm, causes a sudden sealing and consequent sudden distention of theV main .dia-k phragm. Thepresent invention is a devel- 6e opment of. the same idea but in the device of the present, application the leak port :is shifted directly by the initial movement of the main or motor diaphragm itself andthe parts are so arranged that the leak vport is 7@ shifted by the initial movement of the diaphragm and before any movement .of the three-way valve, or `other control device, takes place. f v The invention isv illustrated as a; thermostat 'in the accompanying inwhich:- l Figure 1 is a vertical'aXial section of the `complete device showing the leakport open applied to 7@ rawings, t

a-nd the three-way valve in exhaust position;

Fig. 2 isa fragmentary. view similar ,to Fig. 1, showing'theleak portclosed and the three-way valve in admission position; .l Fig. 3 is a'front elevation o the complete 8@ device; f i

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the motor arm and the attached parts; and Fig. 5'is a perspective view of the shifting is quite minute and the range of its 'shifting lata movement is not necessarily quite so great as the Adrawings indicate... rllhe same is true 'of the movement ofthe three-way valve.

Thepurpose in the drawing is to give a l:lear i idea of -the relative movement-oitl the parts 7l rather than the actual degree of such, movement which is so slight as to render accurate illustrationv impracticable. The range of leak port andthe two stop lugs therefor 965i.

, numicating supply port 22- to port 21 and.

movement of the parts is subject 'to considerable posslble. variation. but 1n vlew of the necessary minuteness of the leak .port to avoid needless wasting of air, sharper quicker action may be secured by' limiting the movement to the possible operative minimum, as this reduc-es the quantity of air which must be vented or accumulated to produce the desired action of the diaphragm.

In the drawings 11 representsrthe pipe head to which arel connected the pressure supply pipe 12` and the control pipe 13 which leads to the secondary motor or other controlled device. 14 represents the main casing or frame of t-he thermostat which is clamped against the pipe head 11 in the usual manner with an intervening gasket 15. as shown. The easing 14 is provided with a three-way valve chamber in which works the valve member 16. This isrshifted. by

means cfa stem 1T so as to seal alternatelv against the opposed seats 18 and 19. Wheii .itseals against the seat 18 t-he exhaust port 20 is open, and consequently air is vented from the controlled device through the pipe 13 and control port 21 connected therewith. At this time the supply of pressure fluid to the controlled device is cut oii'. Then the valve 16 seals against the seat 19 the ex.

haustport 20 is closed and pressure fluid is supplied through the pipe 12 and the compipe 13 so that the under pressure.

Leading from .the port the valve seat 1S is a port 23 which leads to the restricted inlet 24 here shown as a minute orifice in a thimble. shaped shell 25. Air entering by ports 22 and 23 may pass through a port 26 to a diaphragm chamber 2T formed controlled device is put- 22 in advance of n1 the casing 14 where it Ywill act against a' diaphragm 28 preferably of metal held-by a clamp ring 29 against a rubber orf other gasket 30. The leak port fromthe diaphragm chamber may be located in'various positions, but

sleeve 32 mounted in the front of thc casing 14. This vtube is provided with a minute orifice 33 at its front end with a rearwardly project-ing minute pin or wire 34 at its rear end. This pin or wire 34 passes through but does not till the supply port 24 and the purpose of the pin is to keep this supply area of the supplyport is consequently the annular space in the port 24 surrounding the pin 34. The forward and backward movements of the leak tube 31 are limited b v annular `flanges 35 which embrace stop lugs 36 formed on the diaphragm clamping ring 29. The 'diaphragm A28 acts directly7 is here illustrated as posi-v tioned directly in front. of the restricted 'supply port 24. The leak port element comprises a tube 31 sliding through a packing forth movement against a plate 37 formed as a part of the motor lever 38. The lever 38 is mounted on ai spring plate 39 which is held by screws 40 aga-inst a beveled face on the clamping ring 29. The plate thus serves as a combined vhinge and restoringspring, whose stress may arrest continued movement of the lever 38v whenthe lea-k tube 31 is arrested by the engagement of its stop lugs 35 wit-h thestop lugs 36.

The responsive element operates to open 41 engages a slot 42 in a head 43 I and close t-he leak port 33 in the end of the tube-31 and I here illust-rate this as consisting of a thermosta-tie bar 45 mounted in the generalmanner described in my prior Patent'No. 1,109,993, dated September 8. 1914. The bar 45 is apertured at its upper end and is there provided with a transparent celluloid valve plate 46. The bar 45 is curved at its lower end as indica-ted at 47 and is mounted on a weighted pivoted saddle 48.- This normally rests againstl a stop screw 49 threaded in frame `14 and sustains the bar in operative position. The stop screw 49 carries an indicator dial 50which is readable through an aperture in thercas'- ing of the device (not shown) and is movable by means of a. handle 51.

Operation 07' the (Ie/vice.

The weighted saddle 48 rrests aga-inst the stop screw 49 and holds Ibar 45 in its normal position asI `determined by the adjustment ofathe screw.' Thevweight of the saddle 48 is sutlicient to'resist'any pressure which may be exerted on the bar by the air tending to discharge through the port 33. vit-h the. device in the position of Fig. 1 a change in temperature in the properdirection depending on the nature of thc bar 45 will cause this bar lto s\\"i11g to .theleftand start to close the leak port In the position of Fig. 1 t-he spring platel 3J `is holding the lever 38 to the left and is-tleXing the spring or fork 4l as indicated. so that valve `16 is urged against the seat' 18. Consequently' when the bar 45 movesto restrict. the port 33 the first effect of the resultingl increase of pressure in the diaphragm chamber 2T to the right and rlctlon bearmg the right into seat 1 8 but does not movethe valve from that seat. As soon however as the port 33 is completely sealed,'pressure inthe chamber -27 will rise rapidly -and the lever 38 will temperature a movement of the bar 45 to the right will firstinitiate a venting through the port 33, and as soon as this is suliicient to reduce the pressure in the chamber 27 the lever '38 will move slightly to the left, releasing the stress on valve 16but not permitting it to leave the seat 19. This initial movement will carry the lea-k tube 31 to the left far enough to open'port. 33 fully. The

diaphragm 28 will then immediately collapse, and the lever 38 will swing tothe left u nder the influence of the spring plate 39, thus shifting valve 16 to seat 18 and holding it against said seat by the fleXure of the forkill. It will thus be seen that there is aresilientlost `motion connection between the diaphragm and the control mechanism suficient to allow the initial movement of the diaphragm to shift the leak port without at the same time shifting the'control mechanism. This feature is important, and makes possible the elimination ofthe secondarv diaphragm used in my prior application, above identified. The critical temopen and close the leak port may be determined by setting the dial 50, which may bear appropriate legends.

As has been stated, certain features of the present invention are applicable to hygrostats and other automatic control devices by the mere substitutionof a hygrostatic element for the thermostatic bar described. This substitution is now common in the art and may be made in the general way described in my prior patent above identified, and it is therefore unnecessary to illustrate it in detail here.

4In the claims I use the term responsive element to includeh thermostatic, hygrostatic and other elements which are subject- `and the like are also of familiar use in this art and might be substituted without aect-J ying the operative functions ofthe Vthermostatic bar and the movable leak port etc., and that such substitutions are regarded as falling within the scope of my invention. phrase control mechanism is used as a generic term to include all such equivalents.

of fluid 'pressure leading to per'ature at which the bar 45 operates to provided with a single The Similarly the word abutment is used as a generic term to include such equivalents for the diaphragm as a' piston or the like.

In certain of the claims I use the word sympathetic as applied to the control of 'the venting action to define generally a control in which the venting is started and stopped harmoniously with decreases and increases in pressure against the diaphragm. The opening Vand closing of the vent port thus tends to accentuate or intensify such fluctuation of pressure.

Having thus described my invention, what l. The combination of a Huid pressure motor having a fluid pressure chamber provided With a single movable wall; a sourcev of fluid qpressure.leading to said chamber; two co-acting valvemembers for jointly controlling by their relative movement the venting of pressure from said motor; agresponsive element operatively connected `with one of saidvalve members for moving the same vin response to variations in atmospheric condition; and mechanical connections between the movable wall and the other of said valvemembers for moving the latter'in a closing directionl upon the movement of the movable wall under an increase of pres sure.v

` 2. The combination of a Huid pressure motor having a fluid pressure chamber provided with a single movable Wall',a source said chamber; two Cto-acting valve members for jointly controlling 4by their relative movement the venting of pressure from said motor; a responsive element operatively connectedV with one of said valve members for moving the same in response to'variations'in atmospheric con. dition; and mechanical connect-ions between the movable wall and the other of said valve members for moving the latter in` an opening ldirection upon the movement of the movable wall under a decrease of pressure.

3."The combination of a fluid. pressure motor having a fluid pressure chamber movable wall; .a source of Huid pressure chamber; two o o-acting valve members for jointly controlling by their relative movement the venting of pressure from said motor; a' responsive element operatively connected withone ofsaid valve members. for moving the same in response to variations in atmospheric condition; and mechanical connections between the movable wall and the other of said valve members, for moving the latter alternately in opening and closing directions as the movable wall moves under decrease and increase of pressure reispectively.

actuating said v-Inechanism, operatively conan actuating device having nected therewith; a source of Huid pressure leading to said abutment; tWo co-acting valve members for jointly controlling by their relative movement the i-'enting of pressure from said abutment; a responsive element operatively connected with one of said valve members for moving the same in re'- sponse to variations in atmospheric conditiongand operative connections between said abutment and the other of said valve members for moving the latter by the initial movement of the abutment to accelerate the action of the abutment by a sympathetic control of the venting action.

5. The combination of a control mechanism having fixed limits 'of movement; an actuating mechanism having a wider range of movement than said control mechanism and including a fluid pressure actuated abutment for causing said movement; yielding driving connections between said actuating mechanism and said control mechanism; a source of Huid pressure leading to said abutment; two co-acting valve members for jointly controlling by theirrelative movement the venting of pressure from said abutment; a responsive element operatively connected with one of said valve members for moving the same in response to variations in atmospheric condition; and operative con nections between said actuating mechanism and lthe other of said valve members for moving the lat-ter by the initial movement of the actuating mechanism to accelerate the action of the actuating mechanism by a sympathetic control of the venting action.

6. The combination of a control mechanisln having a definite range'of movement; a wider range of movement than said control mechanism and including a uid pressure actuated abutment for causing such movement; driving connections between said actuating mechanism and said control mechanism for moving said control mechanism by the middle portion of the movement of said actuating` mechanism; asource of fluid pressure leading to said abutment; two co-acting valve members for jointly controlling by their relative movement the venting of pressure from said abutment; a responsive element operatively connected with one of said valve members for moving the same in response to variations in atmospheric condition.; and operative connections between said actuating mechanism andthe other of said valve members for moving the latter by the initial movement of the actuating mechanism, and y prlor to any movement of said control mechanism thereby, to accelerate the action of the actuating mechanism by a sympathetic control of the venting action.

7. The combination of an actuating mechanism having a definite range of movement and including a fluid pressure actuated abutment for causing such movement; a control mechanism operatively connected to said actua-ting mechanism and adapted to bewactuated by aportion of' the movement of said actuating mechanism lying intermediate the limits of said movement; a source of fluid pressure leading to said abutment; t-wo coacting valve members for jointly controlling by their relative movement the pressure from said abutment; a responsive elelnent operatively connected with one. ot' said valve members for moving the same in response to variations in atmospheric coudition; and operative connections between said actuating mechanism and the other ot' said valve members for moving the latter by the initial movement of the actuating mechanism. and prior to the movement of' `said'control mechanism thereby, to accelerate the action of said actuating mechanism upon said control mechanism by a sympa- ,thetic control of the venting action.

8. The combination of a fluid pressure motor having a fluid pressure chamber provided with a single movable wall; a source of fluid under pressure leading to said chamber; a vent valve for controlling the venting of pressure fluid from saidmotor; a responsive element operatively connect-ed with said vent valve for operating the same; and operative connections between the movable wall and vent valve for assisting by the initial movements of said wall, the operation of' said vent valve previously initiated b v said responsive element.

9. The combination of a control device; a. pressure actuated abutment for operating the same; a source of fluid under pressure leading to said abutment; a vent valve. for controllingvl the venting of pressure fluid from said ,',labutment; a responsive element operatively connected with said vent valve for operating the same; and operative connections between said abutmentand said vent valve for assisting .by the initial movements of the abutment the operation 'of said vent valve previously initiated by said responsive element.

10. The combination of a diaphragm motor; a source of fiuid pressure leading thereto; a shiftable member provided with a port for venting pressure from said diaphragm motor; means for limiting the movement of said shiftable member; a spring-held-motor lever bearing aga-inst the diaphragm of said motor; impositive driving connections between said lever and said shiftablemember for shifting the latter b v the initial movement of the former; a responsive element: a valve member operatively connected with said responsive element and movable thereinv into and out of sealing relation with the portin said shif'table member; a control deventing of vice having a limited rangeof movement; and resilient connections between said motor lever and said control device.

vto; a

of said shiftable member; a spring-held motor .lever bearing against the diaphragm of said motor; 1mpos1t1ve driving connections between said lever and said shiftable mem- Y ber for shifting the latter by the initial movement of the former; a responsive element; a valve member operatively connected with said responsive element and movable thereby into and out of sealing relation with the port in vsaid shiftable member; a control valve movable between oppositely disposed seats; and resilient driving connections between said motor lever and control valve for shifting the same between said seats inthe alternate movements of said motor lever.

12. The combination with' an automatic' control device including a iuid pressure motor and a restricted port; of a clearing pin extending into said restricted port; and operative connections between said pin and said motor for moving the former by the movement of the latter.

tor, of a clearing 13. The combination with an automatic control device including a pressure motor and a restricted air supply port leading thereto; of a clearing pin movable in said restricted port; and operative connections between said pin and motor for shifting the former by the movement of the latter.

14C. The combination with an automatic control device including a fluid pressure motor, a restricted port leading thereto, a movable member provided with a port leading from said motor, and means for shifting said movable member by varia-tions of pressure in said motor; of a clearing pin movable in said restricted supply port and operatively connected with said movable member to be moved by the movement of the latter.

l5. The combination with an automatic control device including a uid pressure mo- "tor, a. restricted port leading thereto, a movable vmember provided with a port leading from vsaid motor, and driving connections between said movable member and said mopin movable in'said restricted supply port and operatively connected with said movable member to move therewith.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification.

' GL F. JOHNSON. 

